Knights use mystic force to fight injustice and an evil lord, and come to the rescue of young maidens… This scenario sounds familiar to Fantasy fans. However all actions take place in a galaxy far, far away, where swords are replaced by light sabers, and war machines can destroy entire planets. Star Wars obviously challenges the distinction between Fantasy and Science Fiction, as it includes typical Fantasy elements in a Science Fiction setting. We are here closer to what some people call Science Fantasy, a kind of fiction that is both defined as a Fantasy and a Science Fiction subgenre. Planetary romances, such as Edgar Rice Burroughs’s Barsoom series, Ann McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series, or Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Darkover series, are often mentioned as examples of Science Fantasy, since their stories take place on another planet where the marvellous becomes more or less rationalized. In these works, wizardry is explained by local evolution, while magical powers are reinterpreted as psionic powers. The depicted societies are generally medieval, despite the presence of more advanced technology.

Elsewhere, superhero comic books and their movie adaptations confuse the issue of genre classification in imaginative fiction. Are Thor and Wonder Woman to be considered as Fantasy or as Science Fiction? Indeed the first one follows the adventures of the most famous Northern god in his dealings with both mythological creatures and alien threats on Earth, while suggesting that Asgard might be another planet. The latterheavily relies on Greek mythology, especially the myth of the Amazons, but Wonder Woman is also a member of the Justice League of America, the leader of which is Superman, an alien. Besides Superman is even blessed with a heavenly aura. This is emphasized for instance in the title of the video game Injustice: Gods among us. And what about Doctor Strange, a superhero and master of the mystic arts?

Whether in literature, movies or comics, there are plenty of works that question the frontier between the different genres of imaginative fiction. What makes Fantasy distinct from Science Fiction? How can we define the works that combine elements from both genres? And is the term “Science Fantasy” actually relevant or has it been forged because of a misconception of what Fantasy and Science Fiction really are?

For its third issue, Fantasy Art and Studies invites you to submit papers that answer these questions, and thus keeps exploring the permeability of the borders between Fantasy and the other imaginative fiction genres.

Your papers (5-6 pages maximum), in English or French, are to be sent in .doc format, Times New Roman 12 points, single line spacing, before July 1st 2017September 1st 2017 at fantasyartandstudies@outlook.com